doubt

[ dout ]
/ daʊt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR doubt ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to be uncertain about something; be undecided in opinion or belief.

noun

Idioms for doubt

Origin of doubt

1175–1225; (v.) Middle English douten < Anglo-French, Old French douter < Latin dubitāre to waver, hesitate, be uncertain (frequentative of OL dubāre), equivalent to dub- doubt + -it- frequentative suffix + -āre infinitive suffix; (noun) Middle English doute < Anglo-French, Old French, derivative of the v.

usage note for doubt

Doubt and doubtful may be followed by a subordinate clause beginning with that, whether, or if: I doubt that (or whether or if ) the story is true. It is doubtful that (or whether or if ) the story is true. There is some doubt that (or whether or if ) the story is true. In negative or interrogative sentences, that almost always introduces the subordinate clause: I do not doubt that the story is true. Is it doubtful that the story is true? Is there any doubt that the story is true?
The expressions doubt but and doubt but that occur in all varieties of standard speech and writing: I don't doubt but she is sincere. There is no doubt but that the charges will affect his career. Doubt but what occurs mainly in informal speech and writing: There is no doubt but what the rainy weather will hurt the crops.

OTHER WORDS FROM doubt

Words nearby doubt

doubloon, doublure, doubly, doubly armed suture, doubs, doubt, doubtful, doubting thomas, doubtless, douc, douce

Words related to beyond a doubt

fine, okay, good, amen, yea, affirmative, true, aye, certainly, definitely, exactly, gladly, granted, indubitably, naturally, positively, precisely, surely, undoubtedly, unquestionably

British Dictionary definitions for beyond a doubt

doubt
/ (daʊt) /

noun

verb

Derived forms of doubt

doubtable, adjective doubtably, adverb doubter, noun doubtingly, adverb

Word Origin for doubt

C13: from Old French douter, from Latin dubitāre

usage for doubt

Where a clause follows doubt in a positive sentence, it was formerly considered correct to use whether ( I doubt whether he will come ), but now if and that are also acceptable. In negative statements, doubt is followed by that: I do not doubt that he is telling the truth. In such sentences, but ( I do not doubt but that he is telling the truth) is redundant

Idioms and Phrases with beyond a doubt (1 of 2)

beyond a doubt

Also, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Certainly so, undoubtedly so, as in Beyond a doubt this is the best view of the valley. This phrase, along with the earlier without doubt (dating from c. 1300), asserts the truth of some statement. W.S. Gilbert's version, in The Gondoliers (1889), is: “Of that there is no manner of doubt—no probable, possible shadow of doubt—no possible doubt whatever.” In this context shadow means “a trace or slight suggestion.” Another variant is beyond a reasonable doubt. This phrase is often used in court when the judge instructs the jury that they must be convinced of the accused's guilt or innocence beyond a reasonable doubt; reasonable here means “logical and rational.” Also see beyond question; no doubt.

Idioms and Phrases with beyond a doubt (2 of 2)

doubt

see beyond a doubt; cast doubt on; give the benefit of the doubt; no doubt; shadow of a doubt.